Ecclesiasticus, 40

1. A hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the day they come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them all.

1. On the other hand he who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be concerned with prophecies;

2. What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.

2. he will preserve the discourse of notable men and penetrate the subtleties of parables;

3. From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,

3. he will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs and be at home with the obscurities of parables.

4. from the one who wears purple and a crown to the one dressed in sacking, all is fury and jealousy, turmoil and unrest, fear of death, rivalry, strife.

4. He will serve among great men and appear before rulers; he will travel through the lands of foreign nations, for he tests the good and the evil among men.

5. And even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:

5. He will set his heart to rise early to seek the Lord who made him, and will make supplication before the Most High; he will open his mouth in prayer and make supplication for his sins.

6. scarcely has he lain down to rest, when in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is troubled with nightmares, like one who has escaped from a battle,

6. If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.

7. and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!

7. He will direct his counsel and knowledge aright, and meditate on his secrets.

8. For all creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-

8. He will reveal instruction in his teaching, and will glory in the law of the Lord's covenant.

9. there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.

9. Many will praise his understanding, and it will never be blotted out; his memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations.

10. These things were all created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.

10. Nations will declare his wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim his praise;

11. All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.

11. if he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand, and if he goes to rest, it is enough for him.

12. All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will stand for ever.

12. I have yet more to say, which I have thought upon, and I am filled, like the moon at the full.

13. Ill-gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.

13. Listen to me, O you holy sons, and bud like a rose growing by a stream of water;

14. When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.

14. send forth fragrance like frankincense, and put forth blossoms like a lily. Scatter the fragrance, and sing a hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all his works;

15. The sprigs of the godless will not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.

15. ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise, with songs on your lips, and with lyres; and this you shall say in thanksgiving:

16. The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.

16. "All things are the works of the Lord, for they are very good, and whatever he commands will be done in his time."

17. Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.

17. No one can say, "What is this?" "Why is that?" for in God's time all things will be sought after. At his word the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.

18. For a person of private means and one who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, one who finds a treasure.

18. At his command whatever pleases him is done, and none can limit his saving power.

19. Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.

19. The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.

20. Wine and music cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.

20. From everlasting to everlasting he beholds them, and nothing is marvelous to him.

21. Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.

21. No one can say, "What is this?" "Why is that?" for everything has been created for its use.

22. The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.

22. His blessing covers the dry land like a river, and drenches it like a flood.

23. Friend or comrade -- it is always well met; better than either, a wife and husband.

23. The nations will incur his wrath, just as he turns fresh water into salt.

24. Brothers and allies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.

24. To the holy his ways are straight, just as they are obstacles to the wicked.

25. Gold and silver will steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.

25. From the beginning good things were created for good people, just as evil things for sinners.

26. Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With fear of the Lord, nothing is lacking: no need to seek for other help.

26. Basic to all the needs of man's life are water and fire and iron and salt and wheat flour and milk and honey, the blood of the grape, and oil and clothing.

27. Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.

27. All these are for good to the godly, just as they turn into evils for sinners.

28. My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.

28. There are winds that have been created for vengeance, and in their anger they scourge heavily; in the time of consummation they will pour out their strength and calm the anger of their Maker.

29. A life spent in eyeing someone else's table cannot be accounted a life at all. Other people's food defiles the gullet; a wise, well-brought-up person will beware of doing this.

29. Fire and hail and famine and pestilence, all these have been created for vengeance;

30. What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his belly there burns a fire.

30. the teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and vipers, and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction;

31.

31. they will rejoice in his commands, and be made ready on earth for their service, and when their times come they will not transgress his word.

32.

32. Therefore from the beginning I have been convinced, and have thought this out and left it in writing:

33.

33. The works of the Lord are all good, and he will supply every need in its hour.

34.

34. And no one can say, "This is worse than that," for all things will prove good in their season.

35.

35. So now sing praise with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord.